THERE was a time in Europe long ago
 When no man died for freedom anywhere,
 But England's lion leaping from its lair
 Laid hands on the oppressor! it was so
 While England could a great Republic show.
 Witness the men of Piedmont, chiefest care
 Of Cromwell, when with impotent despair
 The Pontiff in his painted portico
 Trembled before our stern ambassadors.
 How comes it then that from such high estate
 We have thus fallen, save that Luxury
 With barren merchandise piles up the gate
 Where nobler thoughts and deeds should enter by:
 Else might we still be Milton's heritors.